Attorney: Team 'stiffing' Smith out of $2 million

EDMONTON — The attorney for fired Blackhawks general manager Mike Smith says the club is making up its justification for "stiffing him" on the $2 million left on his contract.

"These guys are looking to fabricate a reason for getting out of their contract," Bruce Meckler said. "There is no contractual reason to give them the right to refuse to pay him the remaining dollars on his contract, period."

The Hawks fired Smith on Oct. 24. Shortly thereafter it was learned the team refused to honor the remaining two years of his contract. Smith has filed a grievance with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and Bettman has given the Hawks until Nov. 26 to support their contention Smith was in "material default" of his contract.

According to published reports, the Hawks claim Smith made "unauthorized" trades during his tenure, which his attorney denies.

"Mike has a contract that provides that he is absolutely entitled to the amount of his contract, whether they terminate him or not," Meckler said. "They're stiffing him."

Once Bettman reviews whatever the Hawks provide him, he will set a date for a hearing before him and some members of the NHL's Board of Governors.

Meckler said Smith will testify at the hearing and that he plans on calling members of the Hawks organization. Meckler also said he might call other general managers in the NHL--presumably ones that have done transactions with Smith--and senior Hawks management to testify.